Browning Belgian rifle

Question
I have aquired a Browning(made in Belgium) bolt action rifle in 300 win. mag. serial # 53xxx L 69.  I have gathered that it is a 'safari' grade (no engraving wood or metal) although stock is checkered, and made in 1969. What MODEL is this? And most importantly what should I do about the so called SALT WOOD stock?

Answer
Ernest,

What you most likely have is an FN High-Power Model.  These rifles were made by FN (Fabrique Nationale) which is now FN Herstal in Belgium.  This particular model was manufactured between 1960 and 1974.  The serial number you have provided is consistent with a 1969 serial number.  It is most likely a 'safari' grade.  The medallion and olympian grades had a lot more engraving on the gun and carvings on the stock.

Regarding the 'salt wood' stock, this a problem that affected any Safari, Medallion and Olympian made between 1967 and 1976.  These were stocks were soaked in salt to reduce the curing time.  Unfortunately after the curing process was complete, some salt residue still remained in the wood.  

Add moisture or high humidity to a salt wood stock bolted to a metal rifle and you can get rust or corrosion.  Depending on how the rifle was stored, you may or may not have a problem.  The only way to know is to check any place where metal touches wood and see if there is any rust.  I'd check under the butt plate and might consider removing the stock to check where it connects to the frame, especially if you see rust or corrosion under the butt plate.  If you don't see any rust, you are probably OK.

There are a number of places that sell replacement stocks if you are having a problem.  Midwest Gun Works is one that comes to mind for quality rifle 'furniture'.

This was not just a Browning problem.  The same large wood supplier was sending out similarly cured wood to Winchester, Ruger and a few others.  

Hope this helps you out...

Doug Little